If You Take A Mouse to the Movies
by Laura Numeroff, Illustrated by Felicia Bond

Formulated on the old saying that some people if
given an inch will take a mile, If You Take a Mouse to
the Movies is a story that is sure to appeal to the developing
sense of humor of a young child. It features repetition
which will involve the child in anticipating
what will happen next, an important aspect of future reading skills.

The story opens with a little boy who owns a very demanding
pet mouse. In this story each wish granted to the mouse is
followed by another wish, until eventually the popcorn bought at the
movie inspires the mouse to demand that they must now
string the popcorn on a Christmas tree. One thing leads to
another until the boy and the mouse end up with a snowman,
Christmas carols, making ornaments for the tree and finally
decorating the tree. Now, when they admire their tree, the
mouse notices that they have not put on their popcorn strings!
Now the child can predict what will happen next. The repetition
that always send children into strings of giggles is here
waiting for some lucky child and grownup to enjoy together.
All the familiar things of winter such as snowmen, snowball
fights played out behind laboriously constructed forts of
snow are brought to mind.

The illustrations are simple, yet engaging. Using a strong
indigo blue for the boy's jeans, the illustrator pairs it with
a bright orange sweater. Red and green are also used to great
effect against a largely white background. Since these two
colors are opposites on the color wheel, the little figure of the
boy makes a very strong impression. The expressions on the
face of the whining, nagging mouse are very accurate, as well
as being very charming. The boy is drawn with no mouth or a very small
mouth which gives him a look of acquiescence, or puzzlement
over what his little pet will demand next.

I You Take a Mouse to the Movies is an excellent book to
share with a child or a group of children, and it evokes the
winter season in the adventures of the boy and his mouse.
It also teaches that there is no end to the demands of some
people -- or mice. This might provide a lesson for a young child
on how grownups sometimes feel when confronted with an
endless string of demands. This latest adventure from the talented
Laura Numeroff is sure to remain a seasonal favorite.

--Sarah Reaves White

Kitten Stroller Book

The popular Stroller Books (they attach to a stroller
with a strong, elastic cord with snaps) are one of
DK's best inventions for the baby-preschool set.
The kitten book shows a series of adorable kittens
tumbling, playing, hiding, jumping, cuddling, napping
and all the other things that kittens love to do. The
photographs of the kittens are charming with colored backgrounds
and short text which winds its way around the picture.
The book itself is in the shape of a kitten's head, and the
pages are on thick, board stock which will stand up to
a baby's handling. And, of course, this one won't get lost!